Powershot A580

Powershot A580

Canon Powershot A580 Review

By
Movable Type Admin

Review posted 3/21/2008

Click to take a QTVR tour of the A580

Sharing most of the features and visual virtues of its image stabilized sibling, the PowerShot A590 IS, including a fast 4X (35mm-140mm equivalent) optical
zoom lens, the PowerShot A580 camera features an 8-megapixel CCD image sensor, the option of fully automatic
or semi-automatic settings and 12 easily selectable Scene shooting modes. Incorporating a virtually identical body
design as its slightly more feature-rich A-series family member, the PowerShot A580 camera is easily
distinguished by its silver durable shell and easy to hold grip.

Canon's innovative and exclusive Motion Detection technology consolidates motion information for both the
camera and the photographic subject and determines whether the subject has moved and what if any adjustments
to focus or exposure needs to be made. It will even detect and assess subject movement between each frame,
making it quicker and easier to capture a series of images.

The "brain" in every new Canon digital camera from the PowerShot A-series to the EOS Pro models is the
exclusive DIGIC III imaging processor. This proprietary chip is responsible for the cameras' higher
performance levels including faster start up, faster autofocus and quicker shutter response times that leave
long lag competitors far behind. What's more, DIGIC III improves both the image quality and the cameras' power
consumption, extending the battery life under typical shooting conditions.

The joy of capturing precious memories of family get-togethers - without having to make excuses as to why
Uncle Joe is deep in the shadows while Aunt Betty's features are completely washed out - is enhanced with
Canon Genuine Face Detection Technology. The feature automatically detects, tracks, focuses and optimizes the
exposure on up-to nine forward looking human faces in the frame or can lock onto a specific face in the crowd,
ensuring that all (or one) are in focus and properly exposed, with or without flash. While the Face Detection
algorithm automatically prioritizes up to nine human faces in a scene, it can also be instructed via the Face
Select and Track function to lock on to a single face in the crowd, ensuring that the chosen countenance is
finely focused, no matter where it appears in the frame. In addition to focus and exposure control, the new A-
series cameras now use Face Detection Technology to improve white balance, providing more consistent color
accuracy than earlier models.

Though equipped with Canon's precise nine-point Autofocus system, the PowerShot A580, A590IS and A470 models
offer an AF-Point Zoom feature that works together with the cameras' advanced Face Detection Technology to
enable users to double check facial expressions before snapping photos. Once it has been enabled in the
recording menu, AF-Point Zoom can be engaged when photographing people simply by pressing the shutter button
halfway. The cameras also feature Canon's Intelligent Orientation Sensor that determines whether a scene is
being shot as a vertical or horizontal image. It then automatically rotates the image for quick and easy
review on the cameras' bright, sharp and easy-to-read, 115,000-pixel 2.5 inch LCD monitor.

As one of Microsoft's Premier Launch Partners, Canon is proud to announce that all PowerShot cameras
announced in 2008 are Certified for Windows Vista according to Microsoft standards, without any extra
downloads or upgrades. Additionally, all current models are fully compatible with other operating systems
including Windows XP and Mac OS X (Versions 10.2 - 10.4).

The Powershot A580 with ship beginning in March 2008 with an MSRP of US$149.99. The Digital camera kit
includes two standard AA alkaline batteries, a 32MB MMC+ Memory card, a USB interface cable, an AV cable, a
wrist strap, and Canon's software suite.

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.